Gathering a total of 265 members of the Salesian Family Groups, this festival was quite special right from the start, as it was hosted by the Caritas Sisters after a long while. The warm hospitality of the Caritas Sisters, who provided guidance and parking assistance with bright smiles starting all the way from the nearby Sadang Subway Station exits no1 (500m distance), deeply moved the hearts of the attendees.
40 Years as a Salesian Family member
Sr. Severina Kim, the MC for the event, added another layer of joy by reminding everyone that today marked exactly 40 years since Fr Egidio Viganò, the Rector Major, officially recognized the Caritas Sisters of Jesus as a member of the Salesian Family on 1 May, 1986. Held in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church of the Caritas Sisters—sharing the same name as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome, which Don Bosco had consecrated with tears of emotion—the festival opened with a welcoming liturgy carefully prepared by the Salesian Sisters (FMA) and the Salesian Cooperators.
Taking the microphone next, Fr Marcelo Baek Kwang-hyun, the SDB Provincial, expressed in his welcoming address his hope that “our gathering today may become a day where we draw the wine of joy, communion, and hope, just like the wedding feast at Cana.” This was followed by warm introductions of the representatives of the various groups. In particular, Mr Lee Myung-jae, President of the Past Pupils Association, introduced the ever-youthful Past Pupils. He also shared the proud news of past pupil Chelcio Kim Yeon-geun, who had received the honor of a Papal Knighthood just the day before for his 55 years of dedicated service at the Apostolic Nunciature in Korea, drawing loud applause from the Salesian Family.
A Rich Banquet of Sharing Where the Word and Life Met
The morning session was filled with deep life-sharing testimonies delivered by three speakers. The first speaker, Fr Savio Sung Ha-yoon, focused on this year’s Strenna, “Do whatever he tells you.” He urged everyone to throw wide open the treasure chest of ‘Loving-kindness (Amorevolezza)’ given by God, rather than turning a blind eye to the pain of the world, just like the Blessed Mother who actively intervened at the wedding feast at Cana.
The following experiential sharings left the attendees deeply moved. Sr. Agnes Lee Kwang-shim (FMA), who was first dispatched as a missionary to Ethiopia in 1984 and dedicated 38 years there, confessed her realization that “Mission is not about converting someone, but a way of life that makes them feel, ‘I am loved.'” Her testimony, “The way we live together is the mission itself,” resonated deeply. Mr Ivo Choi Seon-ho, Chairman of the Fr John Lee Sudan Children’s Foundation, recalled memories of the missionaries who profoundly influenced his life during his youth, emphasizing that we should remember Fr John Lee as the “Don Bosco of Tonj.” In particular, he noted the need for efforts to connect the young people participating in the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM), stressing the necessity of active invitation and guidance so they can grow as Salesian Cooperators within the Salesian Family.
The morning concluded with a passionate invitation to the 2027 World Youth Day (WYD) to be held in Seoul, presented by Fr. Michael Jang Dong-hyun (Head of the 2027 Seoul SYM Local Organizing Committee). He emphasized that the Salesian Family should spare no effort in volunteering, hosting homestays, and providing both material and spiritual support for the SYM festival scaled for 5,000 participants, scheduled for August 4th. The Salesian Family of Korea resolved not to participate in the 2027 SYM festival merely as ‘indifferent guests,’ but to become active hosts who intervene and help, just as the Blessed Mother demonstrated at Cana.
A Festival United in Running and Laughing Together, and the Sending Forth
Following a packed lunch, a one-hour recreation session titled “The Joy of the Salesian Family,” led by Fr. Savio Kim Hyung-seok, took place in the afternoon. Breaking down the walls of age and beloning, the participants returned to the innocence of childhood, laughing and enjoying themselves fully with generous prizes, showing off their unique Salesian cheerfulness.
The grand finale of the event was the Concluding Mass presided over by Fr. Marcelo Baek. Before his homily Fr. Marcelo mentioned and celebrated one by one the major milestones within the Salesian Family, such as the 40th anniversary of the Caritas Sisters of Jesus joining the Salesian Family, the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Salesian Cooperators, and the 25th anniversary of the mission in Mongolia.
He particularly shared touching news from the mission frontiers in Mongolia, which he had recently visited for the Canonical Visitation. In a barren Catholic demographic of fewer than 1,500 faithful nationwide, as many as 4 people were baptized this Easter in the Salesian house, and immediately following that, 12 catechumens began receiving catechism. Fr Provincial remarked, “This number of 12 corresponds to nearly 1% of the entire Catholic population, which is proof that the missionaries approached them with all their hearts.” He concluded his homily with a resolution: “Let each of us live out the true vocation of the Salesian Family, which is not to make ourselves the protagonists in our places of life, but to let the love and merciful face of God be revealed through us.
The offerings collected during this Mass will be delivered to the mission in Mongolia, which is currently experiencing difficulties. The event, filled with continuous laughter and emotion throughout the day, came to a spectacular close while providing a unique joy with a ‘drone group photo’—introduced for the first time in the history of Salesian Family events. Participants pledged to meet again next year in Gwangju, where the event will be hosted by the SDBs. We hope that the wine of joy and hope drawn together will be kept deep within the hearts of the Salesian Family, spreading far and wide as the beautiful fragrance of the Resurrection in their respective places of life.
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